Educational worksheet on Texas and the Mexican-American War.

Let’s go through each question one by one. I’ll explain the answers clearly so you can understand why they’re correct.

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1. Who established a dictatorship in Mexico in 1834?

In the early 1800s, after Mexico gained independence from Spain, there was a lot of political chaos. In 1834, Antonio López de Santa Anna became president and then turned himself into a dictator — meaning he took full control and didn’t let others share power. He did this to stop reforms that were trying to make Mexico more democratic.

✔ Answer: d. Santa Anna

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2. Who triumphed at the Alamo (1836)?

The Battle of the Alamo happened in Texas in 1836. A small group of Texan fighters (including famous names like Davy Crockett) held out inside an old mission called the Alamo. But they were surrounded by a much larger Mexican army led by Santa Anna. After 13 days, the Mexicans broke in and killed almost all the defenders. So, Santa Anna won — but it made Texans even angrier and ready to fight back.

✔ Answer: b. Santa Anna

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3. What law Texas’s defeat for the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto?

Wait — this question is worded oddly. It probably means: “What law or event led to Texas’s defeat of the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto?” Or maybe: “What caused Texas to win at San Jacinto?”

Actually, the Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836) was where Texas *won* — not lost. The Texans, led by Sam Houston, surprised Santa Anna’s army while they were resting. They shouted “Remember the Alamo!” and defeated the Mexicans in just 18 minutes. This victory forced Santa Anna to sign treaties recognizing Texas independence.

But looking at the options:

a. California
b. Utah
c. Nevada
d. New Mexico

None of these are laws or battles. Wait — perhaps the question meant: “Which territory did Texas claim as part of its republic after winning at San Jacinto?” Because Texas claimed land stretching far west — including parts of what are now New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Wyoming.

Looking ahead to Question 5, it says Texas claimed those areas. And among the choices here, New Mexico was one of the territories Texas claimed.

So if we assume the question is asking: “Which area did Texas claim after defeating Mexico at San Jacinto?” — then d. New Mexico fits best.

BUT — actually, rereading: “What law Texas’s defeat...” — that doesn’t make sense. Maybe it’s a typo? Perhaps it should be: “What led to Texas’s defeat of the Mexican Army at San Jacinto?” Then none of the options fit.

Wait — look again at the original image text. On the right side, under “Define the terms ‘manifest destiny’”, etc., but no direct link.

Alternatively — maybe the question is misprinted, and it’s supposed to be: “Which territory did Texas claim after the Battle of San Jacinto?” Since Texas claimed huge lands, and New Mexico was one of them.

Given the options, and context from other questions, d. New Mexico is the only logical choice related to Texas expansion after San Jacinto.

✔ Answer: d. New Mexico

*(Note: If your teacher meant something else, double-check with them — but based on standard history and available options, this makes sense.)*

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4. The Republic of Texas joined the United States under whose presidency?

Texas became independent in 1836. For nine years, it was its own country — the Republic of Texas. Many Americans wanted to add Texas to the U.S., but it was controversial because Texas allowed slavery. Finally, in 1845, President James K. Polk pushed hard to annex Texas. Congress approved it, and Texas became the 28th state.

Polk was elected in 1844 specifically promising to expand U.S. territory — including taking Texas.

✔ Answer: d. Polk

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5. Define the term “manifest destiny”

This phrase was popular in the 1800s. Americans believed God had given them the right — even the duty — to spread across North America, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. They thought their way of life (democracy, farming, freedom) was better and should replace Native American cultures and Mexican rule.

It wasn’t just about land — it was seen as a moral mission. People used this idea to justify moving west, fighting wars, and taking over new territories.

📝 Simple definition:
> “Manifest Destiny” means believing it was America’s God-given right to expand across the continent.

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6. Describe the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

This treaty ended the Mexican-American War in 1848. Here’s what happened:

- Mexico gave up a HUGE amount of land to the U.S.: today’s California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona, half of New Mexico, plus parts of Colorado and Wyoming.
- In return, the U.S. paid Mexico $15 million.
- Also, the U.S. agreed to pay off debts that Mexican citizens owed to American settlers ($3.25 million).
- Mexicans living in those lands could choose to become U.S. citizens or move to Mexico. Most stayed and became citizens.
- The border between Texas and Mexico was set at the Rio Grande River.

This treaty doubled the size of the United States!

📝 Summary:
> Mexico ceded vast western lands to the U.S. for $15 million + debt payments. Border set at Rio Grande. Residents could become U.S. citizens.

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7. Which of the following states was gained by the U.S. as a result of the Mexican Cession?

The “Mexican Cession” refers to the land Mexico gave up in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (see Q6). That included:

- California ✔
- Nevada ✔
- Utah ✔
- Arizona (most)
- Parts of Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico

Now look at the options:

a. California → YES
b. Utah → YES
c. Nevada → YES
d. All of them → ALSO YES!

Since ALL three listed states (California, Utah, Nevada) came from the Mexican Cession, the best answer is:

✔ Answer: d. All of them

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8. On this modern map of the United States, shade the states of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Montana, Utah, and Idaho.

You’ll need to do this on paper or digitally. Just find each state on a blank U.S. map and color them in.

Here’s how to locate them quickly:

- Texas – big southern state below Oklahoma
- Arizona – southwest, next to California and Mexico
- New Mexico – east of Arizona, south of Colorado
- Colorado – rectangular state north of New Mexico
- Nevada – west of Utah, east of California
- Utah – shaped like a rectangle with a bite taken out; neighbors Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado
- Montana – northern state above Wyoming, borders Canada
- Idaho – long narrow state between Montana and Nevada/Oregon

Shade all eight.

*(No final answer needed here since it’s a drawing task — but now you know which ones to shade!)*

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Final Answer:

1. d. Santa Anna
2. b. Santa Anna
3. d. New Mexico *(based on contextual interpretation)*
4. d. Polk
5. “Manifest Destiny” = belief that Americans were destined by God to expand across North America.
6. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Mexico gave up CA, NV, UT, AZ, NM, CO, WY; U.S. paid $15M + assumed debts; border set at Rio Grande; residents offered citizenship.
7. d. All of them
8. Shade: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Montana, Utah, Idaho *(map activity — no written answer required)*